Electrical switching apparatus including alternating current electronic trip circuit with arc fault detection circuit and power supply

ABSTRACT

An electrical switching apparatus includes a transductor circuit that senses a direct current between an input terminal and an output terminal and outputs an alternating current proportional to the direct current. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a current sensor configured to sense an alternating current component of the direct current. The electrical switching apparatus further includes an alternating current electronic trip circuit including an arc fault detection circuit configured to detect an arc fault based on the sensed alternating current component. The alternating current electronic trip circuit is also configured to control pairs of separable contacts to trip open based on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit or the detected arc fault. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a power supply structured to provide direct current power to the alternating current electronic trip circuit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 120 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/132,705, filedDec. 18, 2013, entitled “ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS INCLUDINGALTERNATING CURRENT ELECTRONIC TRIP CIRCUIT WITH ARC FAULT DETECTIONCIRCUIT AND POWER SUPPLY”, the contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference. This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/132,678 filed on Dec. 18, 2013, entitled“ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS INCLUDING ALTERNATING CURRENT ELECTRONICTRIP CIRCUIT WITH ARC FAULT DETECTION CIRCUIT”, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosed concept pertains generally to electrical switchingapparatus and, more particularly, to circuit breakers including aplurality of separable contacts.

Background Information

Circuit breakers have been used in alternating current (AC) applicationsand direct current (DC) applications. The applications for DC circuitbreakers have been very small. With the larger use of alternative energysources, such as photovoltaic applications, the DC applications areincreasing. DC molded case circuit breakers have used mechanical thermaland magnetic trip units for overload and short circuit protection, whilesome DC air circuit breakers employ electronic trip units. Magnetic tripunits instantaneously trip the circuit breaker when the current in theprotected circuit exceeds a predetermined level. However, magnetic tripunits are difficult to calibrate and are not as accurate as electronictrip units. Thermal trip units are less susceptible to nuisancetripping, but take a longer amount of time to trip the circuit breaker,and are susceptible to ambient thermal conditions causing accuracyproblems. Because of these problems thermal and magnetic trip units arenot typically used in the larger size and higher current rated circuitbreakers in AC applications, but rather, AC electronic trip units, whichuse a current transformer to sense the AC current, are used.

Without a time varying magnetic field, the AC current transformer willproduce no electromotive force with DC current, which makes the ACelectronic trip unit inoperable in DC applications. Certain DC circuitbreakers such as DC air circuit breakers have used a DC electronic tripunit in combination with a shunt to sense the DC current in theprotected circuit. The DC electronic trip unit provides enhanced controland tripping accuracy of the circuit breaker over thermal and magnetictrip units. However, DC circuit breakers which include a DC electronictrip unit are costly as compared to the high volume and readilyavailable AC electronic trip units.

Photovoltaic applications present difficulties for current DC circuitbreakers. In photovoltaic applications, the short circuit current levelcan be relatively low (e.g., less than 200% of the rated current andusually about 125% to 135% of the rated current). Due to the relativelylow short circuit current level, DC circuit breakers which use thermaland magnetic trip units are typically not desirable because it isdifficult to set the magnetic trip unit precisely at these low levelsand could cause excessive nuisance tripping and the thermal trip unitmay not offer adequate protection due to the long time it takes to tripthe circuit breaker. Additionally, thermal and magnetic trip units donot provide protection from arc faults. While a DC circuit breaker whichuses a DC electronic trip unit can offer suitable circuit protection inphotovoltaic applications, the cost of the DC circuit breaker with a DCelectronic trip unit is a concern.

Self-powered electronic trip units derive power from the protectedcircuit in order to operate. When the current in the protected circuitdrops too far below the rated current of the self-powered electronictrip unit, the self-powered electronic trip unit is no longer able toinitiate a trip. An over current condition would not be present in theprotected circuit if the current in the protected circuit was too farbelow the rated current of the self-powered electronic trip unit.However, an arc fault may still exist in the protected circuit even whenthe current is less than the rated current. It would be desirable toretain arc fault protection even as the current in the protected circuitdrops.

There is room for improvement in electrical switching apparatus, such ascircuit breakers.

SUMMARY

These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed conceptin which an electrical switching apparatus includes a transductorcircuit, a current sensor, an alternating current electronic tripcircuit having an arc fault detection circuit, and a power supply thatprovides alternating current power and direct current power to thealternating current electronic trip circuit.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed concept, an electricalswitching apparatus comprises: a plurality of first terminals includingtwo input terminals structured to electrically connect to a directcurrent power source; a plurality of second terminals including twooutput terminals structured to electrically connect to a direct currentload; a plurality of pairs of separable contacts; an operating mechanismconfigured to open and close the separable contacts; a trip actuatorconfigured to cooperate with the operating mechanism to trip open theseparable contacts; a plurality of conductors that electrically connecteach pair of separable contacts between one of the first terminals andone of the second terminals; a transductor circuit including first andsecond current transformers, the transductor circuit being configured tosense a direct current component of a current flowing between at leastone of the input terminals and at least one of the output terminals andto output an alternating current proportional to the direct currentcomponent; a current sensor configured to sense an alternating currentcomponent of the current flowing between at least one of the inputterminals and at least one of the output terminals; an alternatingcurrent electronic trip circuit including an arc fault detection circuitconfigured to detect an arc fault based on the sensed alternatingcurrent component, the alternating current electronic trip circuit beingconfigured to control the trip actuator based on the alternating currentoutput from the transductor circuit or the detected arc fault; and apower supply structured to provide direct current power to thealternating current electronic trip circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram in partial block form of an electricalswitching apparatus electrically connected to an ungrounded load inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram in partial block form of electricalswitching apparatus electrically connected to a grounded load inaccordance with another embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of different configurations of anelectrical switching apparatus in accordance with embodiments of thedisclosed concept;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram in partial block form of an output interfacecircuit in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed concept;

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 are circuit diagrams of electrical switching apparatuswith alternating current excitation voltage sources in accordance withother embodiments of the disclosed concept; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are circuit diagrams in block form of power supplies inaccordance with embodiments of the disclosed concept.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integergreater than one (i.e., a plurality).

As employed herein, the term “electrical conductor” shall mean a wire(e.g., without limitation, solid; stranded; insulated; non-insulated), acopper conductor, an aluminum conductor, a suitable metal conductor, orother suitable material or object that permits an electric current toflow easily.

As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “connected”or “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined togethereither directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts.Further, as employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are“attached” shall mean that the parts are joined together directly.

As employed herein, the term “processor” shall mean a programmableanalog and/or digital device that can store, retrieve, and process data;a computer; a workstation; a personal computer; a controller; a digitalsignal processor; a microprocessor; a microcontroller; a microcomputer;a central processing unit; a mainframe computer; a mini-computer; aserver; a networked processor; or any suitable processing device orapparatus.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an electrical switching apparatus 1 whichcan be, for example and without limitation, a circuit breaker. Theelectrical switching apparatus 1 is electrically connected to aprotected circuit 300 (shown in phantom line drawing). The protectedcircuit 300 includes a DC power source 302 and a potentially ungroundedDC load 304. The electrical switching apparatus 1 includes one or morepairs of separable contacts 406. The electrical switching apparatus 1also includes an operating mechanism 414 that opens and closes the oneor more pairs of separable contacts 406 and a trip actuator 416 thatcooperates with the operating mechanism 414 to trip open the one or morepairs of separable contacts 406.

The electrical switching apparatus 1 further includes a transductorcircuit 100 and an AC electronic trip circuit 200. The transductorcircuit 100 is inductively coupled with the protected circuit 300. Thetransductor circuit 100 outputs an AC current to the AC electronic tripcircuit 200. The AC current output by the transductor circuit 100 isproportional to the DC current flowing in the protected circuit 300 andcan be used to determine a level of the DC current in the protectedcircuit 300.

The transductor circuit 100 includes a first current transformer 110 anda second current transformer 120. The first and second currenttransformers 110,120 include respective secondary windings 114 and 124which are inductively coupled with the protected circuit 300. The firstand second current transformers 110,120 are electrically connected inseries opposition with each other such that an electromotive forceinduced in the first current transformer 110 by the DC current in theprotected circuit 300 is opposed to an electromotive force induced inthe second current transformer 120 by the DC current in the protectedcircuit 300. By the cancellation of the electromotive forces, thisarrangement electrically neutralizes the transformer effect. Thetransductor circuit 100 can also be designed in a fashion that itmagnetically neutralizes the transformer effect.

The transductor circuit 100 also includes a power source which providesan AC voltage to the secondary windings of the current transformers 110,120. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the power source includes an ACpower source 104 and a fourth transformer 102 to isolate the AC powersource 104 from the current transformers 110, 120. Arranging the currenttransformers 110, 120 in series opposition with each other and providingthe AC power source 104 causes the transductor circuit 100 to output anAC current which is proportional to the DC current in the protectedcircuit 300. It is contemplated that any suitable power source may beemployed to provide the AC voltage to the secondary windings of thecurrent transformers 110, 120. For example, in one non-limiting exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 6, the fourth transformer 102 is omitted fromthe power source and the AC power source 104 is electrically connectedto the secondary winding of the first current transformer 110. Inanother non-limiting example embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a DC/ACinverter 127 is electrically connected to the secondary winding of thefirst current transformer 110 and converts a DC voltage generated by asecond DC power source 128 into the AC voltage. In yet anothernon-limiting example embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a power supply 500′ iselectrically connected to the fourth transformer 102 and provides the ACvoltage to the secondary windings of the current transformers 110, 120via the transformer 102.

The secondary windings 114 and 124 of the current transformers 110, 120have first ends 112 and 122 and second ends 116 and 126, respectively.In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first end 112 of the first currenttransformer 110 is electrically connected to the fourth transformer 102.The second end 116 of the first current transformer 110 is electricallyconnected to the second end 126 of the second current transformer 120.The first end 122 of the second current transformer 120 is electricallyconnected to the AC electronic trip circuit 200. In the example shown inFIG. 2, the electrical connection between the first current transformer110 and the second transformer 120 is changed such that the second end116 of the first current transformer 110 is electrically connected tothe first end 122 of the second current transformer 120 and the secondend 126 of the second current transformer 120 is electrically connectedto the AC electronic trip circuit 200. However, in both the examplesshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first current transformer 110 and the secondcurrent transformer 120 are electrically connected in series oppositionwith each other with respect to the electromotive forces induced by theDC current in the protected circuit 300.

The electrical switching apparatus 1 also includes a current sensor suchas the example third current transformer 130. The third currenttransformer 130 is inductively coupled to the protected circuit 300. Thethird current transformer 130 is configured to sense an AC component(e.g., without limitation, broadband noise) of the DC current flowingthrough the protected circuit 300 and to output it to the AC electronictrip circuit 200. The AC component of the DC current flowing through theprotected circuit 300 can be used to detect an arc fault in theprotected circuit 300. The AC electronic trip circuit 200 iselectrically connected to the transductor circuit 100 and receives theAC current output by the transductor circuit 100. The AC electronic tripcircuit 200 is also electrically connected to the third transformer 130and receives the sensed AC component of the DC current flowing throughthe protected circuit 300 from the third transformer 130. The ACelectronic trip circuit 200 includes a rectifier circuit 202, aninterface circuit 204, a trip threshold setting circuit 206, a processor208, an arc fault detection circuit 210, and an output interface circuit212.

The rectifier circuit 202 includes a rectifier circuit input 214 and arectifier circuit output 216. The rectifier circuit input 214 iselectrically connected to the tranductor circuit 100 and is structuredto receive the AC current output from the transductor circuit 100. Therectifier circuit 202 includes a full-wave rectifier and is structuredto rectify the AC current. The rectifier circuit 202 outputs therectified AC current to the rectifier circuit output 216. Although afull-wave rectifier is disclosed, it is contemplated that other suitabletypes of rectifiers may be employed with appropriate modifications toother components to support the change.

The interface circuit 204 includes an interface circuit input 218 and aninterface circuit output 220. The interface circuit input 218 iselectrically connected to the rectifier circuit output 216 and isstructured to receive the rectified AC current. The interface circuitinput 218 is also electrically connected to the trip threshold settingcircuit 206. The trip threshold setting circuit 206 is structured to setan override threshold at which the processor 222 outputs a trip controlsignal to cause the trip actuator 416 to control the operating mechanism414 to trip open the separable contacts 406 instantaneously. Theinterface circuit output 220 is electrically connected to a processorinput 222 of the processor 208.

The processor 208 is structured to monitor the processor input 222 andto determine whether a trip condition (e.g., without limitation, an overcurrent condition) exists. The processor includes a processor output 224that is electrically connected to a first input 228 of the outputinterface circuit 212. When the processor 208 determines that a tripcondition exists, it outputs the trip control signal to the first input228 of the output interface circuit 212.

The arc fault detection circuit 210 is electrically connected to thethird transformer 130 and receives the senses the AC component of the DCcurrent flowing through the protected circuit 300 from the thirdtransformer 130. The arc fault detection circuit 210 also includes anoutput 226 electrically connected to the second input 230 of the outputinterface circuit 212. The arc fault detection circuit 210 uses thesensed AC component to detect whether an arc fault exists in theprotected circuit 300. When the arc fault detection circuit 210 detectsan arc fault in the protected circuit 300, it outputs an arc faultcontrol signal at the output 226.

The output interface circuit 212 includes the first and second inputs228,230 and an output 232. The first and second inputs 228,230 areelectrically connected to the processor output 224 and arc faultdetection circuit output 226, respectively. The output 232 iselectrically connected to the trip actuator 416. The example outputinterface circuit 212 is an “or” logic circuit that outputs a controlsignal to the trip actuator 416 to cause the trip actuator 416 tocooperate with the operating mechanism 414 to trip open the separablecontacts 406 when either the trip control signal is received at thefirst input 228 or the arc fault control signal is received at thesecond input 230.

The electrical switching apparatus 1 further includes a power supply500. The power supply 500 includes a power output 504. The power supply500 is electrically connected to the DC power source 302 via theprotected circuit 300. The power supply 500 is structured to use powerfrom the DC power source 302 to create DC power which it outputs at thepower output 504.

The power output 504 of the power supply 500 is electrically connectedto a DC power input 236 (DC AUX) of the AC electronic trip circuit 200.The DC power is used to power the arc fault detection circuit 210. Thepower output 504 of the power supply 500 is also electrically connectedto the trip actuator 416 and used to power the trip actuator 416. Thepower supply 500 is able to continue supplying the DC power even whenthe current in the protected circuit 300 drops significantly below therated current of the electrical switching apparatus 1. As such, theelectrical switching apparatus 1 is able to continue providing arc faultprotection even when the current in the protected circuit 300 dropssignificantly below the rated current of the electrical switchingapparatus 1, and an over current condition requiring an over currenttrip caused by the processor 208 cannot occur.

Referring to FIG. 2, an example of a different configuration of theelectrical switching apparatus 1 is shown. In FIG. 2, the electricalswitching apparatus 1 has a configuration that is generally suitable fora potentially grounded load where the DC load 304 is electricallyconnected to a ground 412.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, examples of different configurations of aconductive path through the electrical switching apparatus 1 are shown.FIG. 3 shows the conductive path in the electrical switching apparatus 1configured for a potentially ungrounded DC load 304 and FIG. 4 shows theconductive path in the electrical switching apparatus configured for apotentially grounded DC load 304. The conductive path includes firstterminals 402, second terminals 404, pairs of separable contacts 406,jumpers 408, and conductors 410. Two of the first terminals 402 areinput terminals which are configured to electrically connect to the DCpower source 302. Two of the second terminals 404 are output terminalswhich are structured to electrically connect to the DC load 304. Thefirst terminals 402, second terminals 404, pairs of separable contacts406, jumpers 408, and conductors 410 are electrically connected inseries to complete a power circuit between DC power source 302 and DCload 304.

The first, second, and third current transformers 110,120,130 areinductively coupled to at least one of the conductors 410. While FIGS. 3and 4 show two example placements of the first, second, and thirdcurrent transformers 110,120,130, the disclosed concept is not limitedto those example placements. The first, second, and third currenttransformers 110,120,130 may be placed at a suitable location in thepower circuit order to inductively couple to any of the conductors 410.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the jumpers 408 are each electricallyconnected between one of the first terminals 402 and one of the secondterminals 404. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the jumpers 408 are eachelectrically connected between two of the first terminals 402 or two ofthe second terminals 404.

The change in configuration of the jumpers 408 between the examplesshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 changes the direction of the electromotive forceinduced in one of the first and second current transformers 110, 120. Assuch, when the configuration of the jumpers 408 is changed between theexample shown in FIG. 3 and the example shown in FIG. 4, the electricalconnection between the first current transformer 110 and the secondcurrent transformer 120 is also preferably changed to keep the firstcurrent transformer 110 and the second current transformer 120electrically connected in series opposition so that it neutralizes thetransformer effect. The configuration of the electrical switchingapparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the configuration of theconductive path shown in FIG. 3 and the configuration of the electricalswitching apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the configurationof the conductive path shown in FIG. 4. The electrical connectionbetween the first and second current transformers 110,120 changesbetween the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2 to keep the first and secondcurrent transformers 110,120 electrically connected in series oppositionwhen the configuration of the conductive path changes between theconfigurations of FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, example circuit components of the output interfacecircuit 212 are shown. While one configuration of circuit components forthe output interface circuit 212 is shown, it is contemplated that anysuitable configuration may be employed without departing from the scopeof the disclosed concept.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, the trip actuator 416 includes a tripcoil which cooperates with the operating mechanism 414. The trip coil417 is energized by a DC voltage V_(DC). The DC voltage V_(DC) may beprovided by any suitable power source (e.g., without limitation, a powersupply included in the electrical switching apparatus).

Referring to FIG. 9, the power supply 500 includes a DC/DC converter506. The DC/DC converter 506 is electrically connected to the DC powersource 302 and uses power from the DC power source 302 to create the DCpower output to the power output 504. More specifically, the power fromthe DC power source 302 has a first DC voltage and the DC/DC converter506 converts it to power having a second DC voltage suitable for usewith the arc fault detection circuit 210 and the trip actuator 416. Inone non-limiting example, the DC power source 302 is a photovoltaicarray and the first DC voltage is within a range of about 100V_(DC) toabout 600V_(DC), while the second voltage is ±15V_(DC).

Referring to FIG. 10, another power supply 500′ includes a DC/DCconverter 506 like the power supply 500 shown in FIG. 9. However, in thepower supply 500′ of FIG. 10, the DC/DC converter 506 also outputsanother DC power having a third DC voltage to a DC/AC inverter 508included in the power supply 500′. The DC/AC inverter 508 uses the DCpower having the third DC voltage to create an AC power (AC PWR) outputto a second power output 505. In one non-limiting example, the voltageof the third DC voltage is about 320V_(DC) and the AC power is a 320V_(AC), 60 Hz square wave. In another non-limiting example, the the ACpower is a 320 V_(AC), 60 Hz sinusoidal wave. While some voltages forthe AC and DC power in the power supplies 500 and 500′ have beendisclosed, the disclosed concept is not limited thereto. It iscontemplated that any suitable voltages may be used without departingfrom the scope of the disclosed concept.

Although separable contacts 406 are disclosed, suitable solid stateseparable contacts can be employed. For example, the disclosedelectrical switching apparatus 1 includes a suitable circuit interruptermechanism, such as the separable contacts 406 that are opened and closedby the disclosed operating mechanism 414, although the disclosed conceptis applicable to a wide range of circuit interruption mechanisms (e.g.,without limitation, solid state switches like FET or IGBT devices;contactor contacts) and/or solid state based control/protection devices(e.g., without limitation, drives; soft-starters; DC/DC converters)and/or operating mechanisms (e.g., without limitation, electrical,electro-mechanical, or mechanical mechanisms).

While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been describedin detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosedconcept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended andany and all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical switching apparatus structured toelectrically connect between a direct current power source and a directcurrent load, the electrical switching apparatus comprising: separablecontacts; an operating mechanism configured to open and close saidseparable contacts; a trip actuator configured to cooperate with saidoperating mechanism to trip open said separable contacts; a transductorcircuit including first and second current transformers, the transductorcircuit being configured to sense a direct current component of acurrent flowing between the direct current power source and the directcurrent load to output an alternating current proportional to the directcurrent component; an alternating current electronic trip circuit beingconfigured to control said trip actuator based on the alternatingcurrent output from the transductor circuit; and a power supplystructured to provide direct current power to the alternating currentelectronic trip unit, wherein the first current transformer includes afirst secondary winding and the second current transformer includes asecond secondary winding; wherein the transductor circuit includes analternating current power circuit configured to provide an alternatingvoltage to the first current transformer and the second currenttransformer; and wherein the first and second secondary windings areelectrically connected in series-opposition such that an electromotiveforce induced in the first secondary winding by the current flowingbetween the direct current power source and the direct current load isin opposition with an electromotive force induced in the secondsecondary winding by the current flowing between the direct currentpower source and the direct current load.
 2. The electrical switchingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a current sensor configured tosense an alternating current component of the current flowing betweenthe direct current power source and the direct current load, and whereinthe alternating current trip circuit includes an arc fault detectioncircuit configured to detect an arc fault based on the sensedalternating current component and to control said trip actuator based onthe detected arc fault.
 3. The electrical switching apparatus of claim2, wherein the direct current power is used to power the arc faultdetection circuit.
 4. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 1,wherein the power supply is further structured to provide the directcurrent power to the trip actuator.
 5. The electrical switchingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply is electrically connectedto the direct current power source; and wherein the power supply isstructured to use power from the direct current power source to supplythe direct current power to the alternating current electronic tripcircuit.
 6. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 5, wherein thepower supply includes a direct current to direct current converter. 7.The electrical switching apparatus of claim 6, wherein the directcurrent to direct current converter uses the power from the directcurrent power source to create the direct current power provided to thealternating current electronic trip circuit.
 8. The electrical switchingapparatus of claim 2, wherein the current sensor is a third currenttransformer.
 9. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe alternating current trip circuit further includes: a rectifiercircuit having a rectifier circuit input and a rectifier circuit output,the rectifier circuit input being electrically connected to thetransductor circuit; an interface circuit having an interface circuitinput and an interface circuit output, the interface circuit input beingelectrically connected to the rectifier circuit output; and a processorhaving a processor input electrically connected to the interface circuitoutput, the processor being structured to output a trip control signalbased on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit.10. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 9, wherein the rectifiercircuit includes a full-wave rectifier.
 11. An electrical switchingapparatus structured to electrically connect between a direct currentpower source and a direct current load, the electrical switchingapparatus comprising: separable contacts; an operating mechanismconfigured to open and close said separable contacts; a trip actuatorconfigured to cooperate with said operating mechanism to trip open saidseparable contacts; a transductor circuit including first and secondcurrent transformers, the transductor circuit being configured to sensea direct current component of a current flowing between the directcurrent power source and the direct current load to output analternating current proportional to the direct current component; analternating current electronic trip circuit being configured to controlsaid trip actuator based on the alternating current output from thetransductor circuit; and a power supply structured to provide directcurrent power to the alternating current electronic trip unit, whereinthe alternating current trip circuit further includes: a rectifiercircuit having a rectifier circuit input and a rectifier circuit output,the rectifier circuit input being electrically connected to thetransductor circuit; an interface circuit having an interface circuitinput and an interface circuit output, the interface circuit input beingelectrically connected to the rectifier circuit output; and a processorhaving a processor input electrically connected to the interface circuitoutput, the processor being structured to output a trip control signalbased on the alternating current output from the transductor circuit,wherein the alternating current electronic trip circuit further includesa trip threshold setting circuit structured to set an override thresholdat which the processor controls the separable contacts to trip openinstantaneously.
 12. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 1,wherein the power supply is structured to provide alternating currentpower to the alternating current power circuit; wherein the alternatingcurrent power circuit includes a fourth transformer; and wherein thepower supply is configured to provide the alternating current voltage tothe first current transformer and the second current transformer via thefourth transformer.
 13. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 1,wherein the alternating current power circuit includes an alternatingcurrent power source and a fourth transformer; and wherein thealternating current power source is configured to provide thealternating voltage to the first current transformer and the secondcurrent transformer via the fourth transformer.
 14. The electricalswitching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alternating current powercircuit includes a direct current/alternating current inverter and asecond direct current power source; and wherein the directcurrent/alternating current inverter converts a direct current voltagegenerated by the second direct current power source into saidalternating voltage.
 15. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 13,wherein the first and second secondary windings each include a first endand a second end; wherein the first end of the first secondary windingis electrically connected to the fourth transformer; wherein the secondend of the first secondary winding is electrically connected to thesecond end of the second secondary winding; and wherein the first end ofthe second secondary winding is electrically connected to thealternating current electronic trip circuit.
 16. An electrical switchingapparatus structured to electrically connect between a direct currentpower source and a direct current load, the electrical switchingapparatus comprising: separable contacts; an operating mechanismconfigured to open and close said separable contacts; a trip actuatorconfigured to cooperate with said operating mechanism to trip open saidseparable contacts; a transductor circuit including first and secondcurrent transformers, the transductor circuit being configured to sensea direct current component of a current flowing between the directcurrent power source and the direct current load to output analternating current proportional to the direct current component; analternating current electronic trip circuit being configured to controlsaid trip actuator based on the alternating current output from thetransductor circuit; and a power supply structured to provide directcurrent power to the alternating current electronic trip unit, whereinthe first and second secondary windings each include a first end and asecond end; wherein the first end of the first secondary winding iselectrically connected to the fourth transformer; wherein the second endof the first secondary winding is electrically connected to the secondend of the second secondary winding; and wherein the first end of thesecond secondary winding is electrically connected to the alternatingcurrent electronic trip circuit, wherein the direct current load ispotentially ungrounded.
 17. The electrical switching apparatus of claim13, wherein the first and second secondary windings each include a firstend and a second end; wherein the first end of the first secondarywinding is electrically connected to the fourth transformer; wherein thesecond end of the first secondary winding is electrically connected tothe first end of the second secondary winding; and wherein the secondend of the second secondary winding is electrically connected to thealternating current electronic trip circuit.
 18. An electrical switchingapparatus structured to electrically connect between a direct currentpower source and a direct current load, the electrical switchingapparatus comprising: separable contacts; an operating mechanismconfigured to open and close said separable contacts; a trip actuatorconfigured to cooperate with said operating mechanism to trip open saidseparable contacts; a transductor circuit including first and secondcurrent transformers, the transductor circuit being configured to sensea direct current component of a current flowing between the directcurrent power source and the direct current load to output analternating current proportional to the direct current component; analternating current electronic trip circuit being configured to controlsaid trip actuator based on the alternating current output from thetransductor circuit; and a power supply structured to provide directcurrent power to the alternating current electronic trip unit, whereinthe first and second secondary windings each include a first end and asecond end; wherein the first end of the first secondary winding iselectrically connected to the fourth transformer; wherein the second endof the first secondary winding is electrically connected to the firstend of the second secondary winding; and wherein the second end of thesecond secondary winding is electrically connected to the alternatingcurrent electronic trip circuit, wherein the direct current load ispotentially grounded.
 19. The electrical switching apparatus of claim 1,wherein the direct current power allows the alternating currentelectronic trip circuit to control said trip actuator based on thedetected arc fault when the current flowing between the direct currentpower source and the direct current load drops below a level that thealternating current electronic trip circuit can control said tripactuator based on the alternating current output from the transductorcircuit.